Heating device for the manufacture of golf clubs

ABSTRACT

An apparatus ( 20 ) and method for heating golf clubs ( 30 ) during assembly is disclosed herein. The apparatus ( 20 ) preferably includes a frame ( 22 ), a club retention mechanism ( 24 ), a rotating mechanism  26  and a heating mechanism  28.  The apparatus ( 20 ) is utilized to heat an adhesive to bond a shaft ( 34 ) to a golf club head ( 32 ).

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The Present Application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/904,004, filed on Oct. 19, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to heating devices for use inthe manufacture of golf clubs. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to a heating device for curing epoxy used to adhere a shaft to agolf club head.

2. Description of the Related Art

The attachment of the shaft to the golf club head requires securing theshaft to the golf club head in a manner that withstands the tremendousforces exerted during swinging and impact with a golf ball. Theattachment mechanism could encompass compressive forces, chemicaladhesion and/or mechanical means. One preferred manner for attaching ashaft to a golf club has been the use of an epoxy to secure the shaftwithin a hosel. This attachment procedure is usually performed manually,with an operator overcoating a tip end of a shaft with epoxy, and theninserting the shaft into the hosel wherein excess epoxy (2 to 4 grams)is flushed onto the golf club head. In a through-bore golf club head,the tip end of the shaft extends through the bore in the sole of thegolf club head and is cut during the assembly process. The attachmentprocedure typically requires heating the golf club in an oven for twohours to cure the epoxy for securing the shaft to the golf club head.

A series of golf clubs move through the oven on a rack. The entire ovenis maintained at a set temperature to cure the epoxy in a time frame ofabout two hours. The size of the ovens vary from several hundred squarefeet of floor space to thousands of square feet of floor space. Theovens have a mass typically ranging 4,000 to 6,000 pounds. The ovenstypically operate at a temperature ranging from 100° F. to 190° F. Suchovens require great amounts of floor space in a factory, and useexcessive amounts of energy to heat the entire enclosed volume of theoven. Thus, there is a need for an improvement in the curing of epoxy inthe attachment of a shaft to a golf club head.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a heating apparatus for themanufacture of golf clubs. The apparatus includes a frame, a clubretention mechanism within the frame, a rotating mechanism for rotatingthe club retention mechanism, and a heating mechanism for generatingheat within the frame.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturinggolf clubs. The method begins with placing a plurality of golf clubs ona golf club retention mechanism. Next, the golf club retention mechanismis rotated in a circular manner about a central axis. Next, each of theplurality of golf clubs is heated at a specific location while rotatingabout the central axis while positioned on the golf club retentionmechanism to cure the adhesive and adhere the shaft to the golf clubhead for each of the plurality of golf clubs.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a heating apparatus forthe manufacture of golf clubs which includes a frame, means forretaining a plurality of clubs within the frame, means for rotating theplurality of clubs within the frame, and means for heating each of theplurality of golf clubs within the frame.

Having briefly described the present invention, the above and furtherobjects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by thoseskilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description ofthe invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus of the presentinvention with golf clubs.

FIG. 2 is an isolated view of components of the apparatus of FIG. 1 withgolf clubs.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of components of the apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an apparatus of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1–7, an apparatus of the present invention isgenerally designated 20. The apparatus 20 is utilized to heat partiallyfinished golf clubs 30 in order to cure an adhesive to adhere a golfclub head 32 to a shaft 34. The apparatus 20 preferably includes a frame22, a club retention mechanism 24, a rotating mechanism 26 and a heatingmechanism 28.

In practice a multitude of golf clubs 30, preferably ranging from 10 to60 and more preferably from 20 to 40, are positioned within the clubretention mechanism of the apparatus 20. Preferably an adhesive, such asan epoxy, is applied to a tip end 36 of the shaft 34. The tip end 36 ofthe shaft is placed within a hosel 40 of the golf club head 32, whichmay also be coated with the adhesive. The heating of the adhesive bondsthe tip end 36 of the shaft 34 to the hosel 40 of the golf club head 32.The apparatus 20 is utilized for woods, irons and putters. As explainedin greater detail below, the apparatus 20 is able to perform theadhesion process in a more efficient manner than the prior art.

The club retention mechanism 24 preferably comprises an upper indexplate 50 and a lower index plate 52. A bolt assembly 54 is preferablyused to connect the upper index plate 50 and the lower index plate 52.The upper index plate 50 is preferably flat and composed of a metalmaterial such as stainless steel. The upper index plate 50 preferablyhas a plurality of slots 55 located at an edge 57 of the upper indexplate 50. The number of slots 55 preferably ranges from 10 to 60, morepreferably from 20 to 40, and most preferably 30. The lower index plate52 is preferably flat and composed of a metal material such as stainlesssteel. The lower index plate 52 preferably has a plurality of slots 56located at an edge 58 of the lower index plate 52. The number of slots57 preferably ranges from 10 to 60, more preferably from 20 to 40, andmost preferably 30. Generally, the number of slots 55 equals the numberof slots 56. In a preferred embodiment, the upper index plate 50 has adiameter that is less than the diameter of the lower index plate 52.

In practice, the butt end 38 of the shaft 34 of each golf club 30 isplaced within a slot 55 of the upper index plate 55. A grip 37 ispreferably attached to the butt end 38, however, the heating process mayoccur without a grip 37. The tip end 36 of the shaft 34 of the golf club30 is placed within a corresponding slot 56 of the lower index plate 52.The shaft 34 is placed within the slot 56 slightly above the hosel 40 ofthe golf club head 32. In a preferred embodiment for thirty golf clubs30, the golf clubs 30 are spaced at intervals of twelve degrees. In analternative embodiment for forty golf clubs 30, the golf clubs 30 arespaced at intervals of nine degrees. In yet a further alternativeembodiment for twenty golf clubs 30, the golf clubs 30 are spaced atintervals of eighteen degrees. The club retention mechanism 24 maintainsthe golf clubs 30 within the apparatus 20 during the heating process.

The rotation mechanism 26 preferably includes a turntable 60 and gearmotor 62. Additionally, the rotation mechanism preferably includes adrive wheel 64 and a sub-plate 65 with a cam follower 66. In operation,the rotation mechanism 26 rotates the golf clubs 30 about a central axis70 of the apparatus 20. The rotation mechanism 26 preferably rotates thegolf clubs at a speed of one revolution per five minutes to onerevolution per twenty minutes, and more preferably one revolution perten minutes to one revolution per fifteen minutes. The gear motor 62 ispreferably powered by electricity and drives the turntable 60. Theturntable 60 is preferably a flat circular sheet onto which the golfclubs 30 rests. As the turntable 60 rotates, the golf clubs 30 rotateabout the central axis 70. In a most preferred embodiment, the gearmotor 62 drives the drive wheel 64 which drives the turntable 60.

The heating mechanism 28 preferably includes a heater 72, a heatingshroud 73, an annular wall 74 and a heat duct 75. Preferably, theannular wall 74 has a plurality of apertures 76 for flowing the heatfrom the heater onto a specific location of the golf clubs 30. Thenumber of apertures 77 preferably corresponds to the number of slots 56.The heating mechanism 28 also preferably includes an air-break member 77for blocking heat at certain locations. The temperature generated by theheater preferably ranges from 100° F. to 400° F., more preferably from200° F. to 300° F., and is most preferably approximately 240° F. Heat isgenerated by the heater 72 flows through the heat duct 75 into a spacedefined by the annular wall 74, the lower index plate 52 and theturntable 60. The heat flows from this space through each of theplurality of apertures 76 to be directed at a specific location forheating the adhesive to bond the shaft 34 to the golf club head 32. Theheat shroud 73 maintains the heat within a defined space in order toconserve heat. The air-break member 77 prevents the flowing of heatthrough a multitude of apertures 76, preferably ranging from four tofifteen apertures, and more preferably eight apertures. The heat shroud73 is preferably semi-circular with an opening 78. The heat shroud 73preferably extends around 50% to 90% of the annular wall 74, morepreferably 60% to 80% of the annular wall 74. The heat shroud 73 ispreferably composed of a heat resistant metal material such as steel.The heat shroud 73 preferably has a side wall 73 a and a top wall 73 b.This allows the heat to be directed where it is needed as opposed to theprior art which heated the entire golf club in a huge chamber.

The frame 22 preferably includes a skeletal structure 86, a tabletop 80and a base 80. The skeletal structure 86 is preferably composed ofstainless steel or a similar material. The frame 22 also preferablyincludes a plurality of windows 84. Preferably, the windows 84 arecomposed of a polycarbonate material and are preferably transparent. Acontrol panel 85 is also located on the frame 22. The tabletop 80provides a platform for upper components of the apparatus 20 and thebase 82 provides a platform for the lower components of the apparatus20. The frame 22 preferably has a width that equals its length, and aheight that is greater than the width. In a most preferred, the widthand length preferably range from 40 inches to 60 inches, and mostpreferably 51 inches, and the height preferably ranges from 60 inches to100 inches, more preferably from 70 inches to 90 inches, and mostpreferably 84 inches. The mass of the apparatus 20 preferably rangesfrom 200 pounds to 1000 pounds, more preferably from 400 pounds to 600pounds, and most preferably 500 pounds. As compared to the prior art,the apparatus 20 of the present invention occupies less space, uses lessenergy, has a lower mass, and can perform the heating process quicker.

From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinentart will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention andwill readily understand that while the present invention has beendescribed in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and otherembodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes,modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which isintended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in thefollowing appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the inventionin which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined inthe following appended claims.

1. A method for manufacturing golf clubs, the method comprising: placinga plurality of golf clubs on a golf club retention mechanism, each ofthe plurality of golf clubs comprising a golf club head with a hosel, ashaft positioned within the hosel, and an adhesive to adhere the shaftto the golf club head; rotating the golf club retention mechanism withinin circular manner about a central axis; and heating each of theplurality of golf clubs rotating about the central axis while positionedon the golf club retention mechanism to cure the adhesive and adhere theshaft to the golf club head for each of the plurality of golf clubs. 2.The method according to claim 1 wherein heating each of the plurality ofgolf clubs comprises generating heat from a heater and flowing the heatthrough a heating duct and through a plurality of apertures within anannular wall to flow onto each of the plurality of golf clubs on thegolf club retention mechanism.
 3. The method according to claim 1wherein the heat generated from the heater has a temperature rangingfrom 100° F. to 400° F.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein thegolf club retention mechanism comprises an upper plate having aplurality of slots and a lower plate comprising a plurality of slots. 5.The method according to claim 1 wherein the golf club retentionmechanism is rotated using a rotating mechanism comprises a gear motor,a drive wheel connected to the gear motor, and a turntable connected tothe drive wheel.
 6. The method according to claim 4 wherein theplurality of slots of the upper plate ranges from 20 to 40 slots and theplurality of slots of the lower plate ranges from 20 to 40 slots.
 7. Themethod according to claim 4 wherein the upper plate and the lower plateare circular plates having a thickness ranging from 0.10 inch to 4.00inches.
 8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality ofapertures of the annular wall ranges from 20 to
 40. 9. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the golf club retention mechanism rotatesin a range of one revolution per five minutes to one revolution pertwenty minutes.
 10. The method according to claim 4 wherein the golfclub retention mechanism further comprises a bolt assembly having anupper end and a lower end, the upper plate mounted on the upper end ofthe bolt assembly and the lower plate mounted on the lower end of thebolt assembly.
 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the boltassembly has a length ranging from 20 inches to 60 inches.
 12. Themethod according to claim 2 wherein a heating shroud extends aroundfifty percent to eighty percent of the annular wall.